Arts & Culture

Best Art Museums In Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay area has often been regarded as one of the top five most culturally diverse and integrated urban areas in the country by the U.S. Census Bureau. Therefore, it is no surprise that a region as culturally diverse would be rich in art as well. In 2012, Tampa Bay was awarded the honor of being one of the “Top Arts Destinations” by American Style Magazine, which isn’t surprising when you learn how many high quality art museums there are in the bay area.

Here’s our five best art museums that put Tampa Bay at the top of the list! – By Barbara Ann

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(credit: tampamuseum.org)

Tampa Museum of Art

The Tampa Museum of Art, in operation for more than 30 years, collects, preserves and displays 20th century fine art by national and international artists. The museum, situated on the banks of the Hillsborough River, exhibits ancient works of Greek and Roman Etruscan origins. Entry costs $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors, educators, and members of the military; students pay $5 and kids under six get in free. Contact the museum to see when visitors can get in for free, also, every second Saturday visitors can pay whatever they would like between 9am – 11am.

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Inc.

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Inc. is “dedicated to exhibiting important photographic arts central to contemporary life and culture” from artists of various backgrounds. The museum, in operation for several years, requests visitors donate $4. The museum also offers curator’s gallery talks and tours.

The Dali Museum

The Dali Museum on the water front near downtown St. Petersburg houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of work by the late Spanish surrealist, Salvador Dali. The museum architecturally is one of the most stunning buildings in Tampa Bay. Inside and out the Dali Museum is an experience you won’t forget. Best of Tampa Bay tip: enjoy a afternoon coffee in our wi-fied Café Gala and then take a relaxing stroll through the mathematical gardens. Museum admission is $21 for adults and $15 for children 13-18.

Contemporary Art Museum

Adjacent to the USF College of The Arts and is comprised of more than 5,000 art works. There are exceptional holdings in graphics and sculpture multiples by internationally acclaimed artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and James Rosenquist, who have worked at USF’s GraphicStudio. Contemporary photography and African art are also important areas of the collection. Admission is free.

Hours: Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 1pm – 4pm

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(Photo credit: VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)

St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts

The St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts’ collection includes fine examples of 17th, 18th and 19th century European art; 19th and 20th century American art; photography; Greek and Roman antiquities; and pre-Columbian and Asian art. Highlights include masterpieces from Monet, Cézanne and Renoir, a sculpture garden, a Steuben glass gallery and one of Florida’s most respected photography collections. Admission – Adults: $17 Seniors, 65 & older: $15, Military with ID: $15, College Students with current ID: $10 & Youth (age 7 to 18): $10.